Dear Students,
We hope you’ve had a restful and fulfilling summer. As we open the 2026-2027 academic year, we want to take a moment to reflect on what it means to be part of the Sewanee community and share with you a message we shared with all incoming first-year students and their families this summer.
At Sewanee, we value our close sense of community, which is one of our most precious assets. The University’s motto, “Ecce quam bonum et quam iucundum habitare fratres in unum!” (“Behold how good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity”), which comes from Psalm 133, embodies the principle that, as members of the Sewanee community, we have a responsibility to live harmoniously and respectfully together. When we live in this manner, we create a campus climate that supports strong and healthy relationships among everyone who lives and works here.
Living out this principle requires intentional choices—including choices about the use of alcohol and other drugs. Substance misuse can take a serious toll on personal health, relationships, and academic performance. It is our shared responsibility to promote an environment conducive to success, one that actively discourages alcohol and drug misuse. To that end, the University is committed to prevention, developmental student accountability, and effective intervention for students at risk for harmful behaviors. We also uphold federal and state laws, and we will enforce our policies within such limits. A full description of the Registered Student Organization Policy can be found here, alongside information about other policies including our Hazing Prevention Policy, Title IX policies, and more.
Healthy relationships are also key to holistic wellness and success, and the college years are a time for further developing ways to build such relationships. However, college campuses, as anywhere, are places where sexual misconduct and discrimination can occur. At Sewanee, we work to prevent sexual misconduct and discrimination and to be fair when applying the University’s standards and observing relevant processes. In no other area of student life does there need to be a greater degree of self-awareness or a greater need to assume personal responsibility for one’s actions than when it comes to one’s close and personal interactions.
As you reflect on these complex and often challenging issues, remember that the staff in Sewanee Wellness, the Chaplain’s Office, the Student Life Division, and the CARE Team are here to support you in making healthy decisions; please do not hesitate to contact any of them if you are struggling or need help identifying resources to support your and your peers’ well-being.
Thank you for your attention to these important topics—and for being part of these conversations. We look forward to seeing your growth, success, and continued contributions to life on the Mountain in the coming year.
Sincerely,
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Rob Pearigen, C’76
Vice-Chancellor and President
Nicky Campbell, C’99
Vice-President for Student Life and Dean of Students
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